THROUGH THE WOODS. 99 



Great Titmouse tsee-sa, t see-so,, tsee-sa in spring 

 is very remarkable, and aids in the bird's identi- 

 fication. This bird makes two very distinct types 

 of nest, just as we found to be the case with the 

 House Sparrow. The first is made in a hole of a 

 tree or wall, loosely put together, composed of dry 

 grass, moss, leaves, and lined with wool, hair, and 

 feathers. The second type is placed in the 

 deserted nest of a Crow or Magpie, or even in 

 the drey of a squirrel, and is globular like a 

 Wren's. Moss forms the greater portion of the 

 outer material of this type of nest, but the same 

 lining is employed as for nests in holes. The six 

 or eight eggs are white, speckled and spotted with 

 light reddish brown. The food of this species is 

 largely composed of insects and larvae in summer, 

 fruit in autumn, and seeds and larvae for the 

 remainder of the year. The nest of the Crested 

 Titmouse is made in a hole in a tree or stump, of 

 very similar materials to those used by the pre- 

 ceding species, and the six or seven eggs are 

 white, thickly spotted and freckled with brownish 

 red, often in a zone round the larger end. The 

 food of this bird is similar to that of the other 

 Titmice, varying according to season. The most 

 peculiar call-note of the Crested Titmouse may be 

 expressed by the letter R, rolled out with singular 

 emphasis into a succession of syllables. In their 

 actions the Titmice almost stand alone. No other 

 birds can readily be mistaken for them. The 

 attitudes they assume are endless in variety ; they 

 are birds that are never still. A Titmouse is 

 seldom seen at rest for two half-minutes together ; 

 all their waking moments are spent in endless 

 activity among the leaves and branches. It is in 



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